Land a Hot Healthcare Job as a Physical Therapy Assistant

September 21, 2007

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If you're looking for a promising career that provides a sense of fulfillment at the end of every day, consider becoming a physical therapy aide or assistant. Physical therapy assistants provide rehabilitation, pain relief treatment, and injury prevention services to patients suffering from a variety of injuries and diseases. Under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, assistants perform exercises such as massage, therapeutic electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, and ultrasound.

The Right Career Training is Key

In order to qualify as a physical therapy assistant, students usually enroll in two-year programs in which they earn a career diploma or associate's degree. The curriculum usually includes biology, psychology, anatomy, and physiology. Some programs also include a clinical experience component. Many states require physical therapy assistants to be licensed, which is usually covered within the curriculum of a physical therapy assistant program.

PT Perks

Physical therapy assistants can work as either full-time or part-time employees, depending on the facility. Some assistants work weekends and evenings to coincide with patient availability. In 2004, physical therapy assistants earned a median salary of nearly $38,000. About 60 percent of physical therapy assistants worked in hospitals or private physical therapy offices, while others were employed by nursing homes, doctor's offices, or home health care services.

Exciting Healthcare Job Prospects

Now is a great time to enter the field of physical therapy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects for physical therapist assistants are likely to be very strong, due to the increasing number of elderly and disabled patients. As the Baby Boomer generation approaches old age, more and more patients will require extensive therapeutic services that require the contributions of physical therapy support staff. Clearly, now is the time to train to be a physical therapy assistant.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Physical therapy assistants and aides"

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